Rachel Gilmour

Rachel Clare Gilmour (formerly Oliver; born 13 October 1964) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Tiverton and Minehead since 2024.

Early life Gilmour is the daughter of the former England international rugby player David Wrench. She was then privately educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College, where she joined the Liberal Party aged 17.

She studied law at SOAS University of London and English literature at King's College London.

Early career After a stint as an English lecturer at Somerset College of Arts & Technology in Taunton, Gilmour began her career in corporate communications and public affairs. Having worked for national and international NGOs, she was appointed director of communications at the National Farmers' Union; becoming the first woman to join their board in 100 years. She went on to be head of strategy at the Environment Agency.

Most recently she was employed as director of communications for Pangea 21, a group of health tech start-ups.

Political career Gilmour contested Nottingham North as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate in the 1997 general election, coming third. She contested Totnes in 2001,

In 2015, she stood in Taunton Deane to succeed fellow Liberal Democrat Jeremy Browne, but was defeated by Conservative candidate Rebecca Pow in an election which saw the Liberal Democrats reduced to just eight parliamentary seats nationally.

She represented the Clare & Shuttern ward on Mid Devon District Council.

In January 2025, she said that Butlin's was 'partly' to blame for the low social mobility in her constituency by offering employment that does not require qualifications.

On 18 March 2025, the BBC reported that during Gilmour's visit to Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station in her constituency, she was abusive to a security guard after he had pointed out that her driving licence was expired and that he had informed the police. Witnesses stated that she described a film presented by site workers with further abusive language. She denied the allegations.

On 18 July 2025, the Daily Telegraph reported that Gilmour had submitted an expenses claim for £11.81 in December 2024 for a pub meal, which included chips, a halloumi wrap, a hot drink, and a half-pint of cider. The claim was subsequently rejected.

In August 2026, Gilmour posted a video on Facebook warning against the use of disposable barbecues during the ongoing dry conditions. She referred to the Stourbridge wildfires and stated that someone there had used a disposable barbecue. At the time, West Midlands Fire Service had not publicly established that a disposable barbecue was responsible for the Stourbridge fire; specialist investigators were still investigating the origin of the fire.

Elections contested ElectionConstituencyPartyVotes% votesPositionRef.1997 general electionNottingham North 3,3018.03rd of 5 2001 general electionTotnes 18,31737.22nd of 4 2015 general electionTaunton Deane 12,35821.32nd of 8 2023 Mid Devon District Council electionClare & Shuttern ward (two seats) 73254.42nd of 4 (elected) 2024 general electionTiverton and Minehead 18,32638.61st of 5 (elected)

Personal life

Gilmour lives in Bampton with her husband, Patrick, a corporate lawyer. They have a son and a daughter. She also has two sons from her first marriage. She and Patrick share their home and garden with two dogs, three cats, and twenty-two rescue chickens.